News

Welcome to our news feed where we discuss topics of interest pertaining to the Medical Alerts industry and the Personal Response service. You can subscribe to our news via our RSS Feed by clicking here.

The question of whether or not our parents or other elderly loved ones should stay in their own homes as they age is an important one. We all want the elders in our lives to live their golden years as happily as possible. Options today abound as the senior population in this country continues to grow.
If your parents or loved ones want to simplify their lives, if they wish to free themselves from the maintenance that goes along with homeownership, an...

There are certainly many nice retirement homes available as the senior population continues to grow in this country, but the fact of the matter is that most aging folks prefer to stay in their homes for as long as possible. The AARP reports, in fact, that a full 75 percent of seniors want to stay in their current residences as long as possible. Not only is it a matter of comfort, but it might be more sensible from an economic standpoint. Assisted-living...

Getting into a workout routine can be a challenge, especially if you have never exercised before or if it has been many years since you've done so. Exercising is a great way to get into shape and gain better overall health, something that is beneficial for everyone—regardless of age. Here are some tips for where to start if you have never exercised before.
1.Take it slow when you are first starting out. You are going to want to determine what your fi...

Many baby boomers today are concerned about their aging parents staying healthy and whether or not they are suffering from any health problems. Here we'll discuss some warning signs adult children will want to look for in their parents:
How well are they taking care of themselves? Note their appearance and whether they seem to be taking care of daily routines of bathing, teeth brushing, and other grooming. If not, this could be an indicator of a phys...

One is the loneliest number – or is it?
They say one is the loneliest number. But try telling that to seniors like 89-year-old Lawrence and you'll get an argument.
"That's one thing I can do, is just live alone, and that's what I do," the San Franciscan told the Huffington Post.
And he's not alone in his vehemence to go solo. According to an AARP study, 90 percent of people over 65 want to stay in their home as long as possible. Even if ...

Fran Jensen bent down to get something that had fallen into her pool – but when she tried to stand up her arthritic knees buckled. Her frantic attempt to grab the retaining wall failed and the 73 year old slipped and slammed her head on the cement.
Jensen is not alone: falls are the leading cause of accidental injuries for people older than 65 years old. It's frightening – for the victims as well as their loved ones. According to the CDC, one out of ...

Personal emergency response systems have been endorsed by everyone from AARP to Today's Caregiver magazine. But these technological wonders aren't all alike – so before you rent or purchase one, check out the guide below. The advice is culled from AARP, The Senior List, Medicare.com and consumeraffairs.com.
1) What is the range of the system? Make sure it covers the area you need. After it is installed, test out the range to make sure it...

Pets: Perilous or Practical?
Those loveable furry, four-legged friends who make you laugh, comfort you when you're sick and love you unconditionally may also cause you harm.
Although many experts tout the positive influence of a pet (studies show that pets help seniors overcome loneliness and depression by providing affection, company, entertainment and a sense of responsibility and purpose; the Centers for Disease Control claims pets ca...

In Matters of Life-or-death, We Make A Difference
Although we aren't doctors, we have saved lives. Personal Response Corporation has an important role in the community. People trust us with their lives and we are held accountable. And so, when we saw a post on Senior List's website urging medical alert system providers to pay attention to consumers, we were intrigued.
The Senior List, an online community-driven portal which links families to...

Forbes calls it the greatest retirement crisis in American history. Many who scrimped and saved and did everything they were told to do so they could enjoy their golden years are finding that dream tarnished.
Dwindling values on 401ks, real estate, a recession and tough times have shifted the goals from retirement to survival. Gallup surveys show that seniors are seeking employment in record numbers – not because they want to, but because t...

That's music to my ears. It's a phrase we utter often – and with glee. That's because music is such a major part of our lives: we listen to it at weddings, at funerals and everything in between.
Whether you hum along with tunes while driving, tap your feet to the beat on your IPod while relaxing or croon in the shower, it evokes powerful emotions and memories.
Music enhances our lives in many ways. Studies conducted by Emory University rev...

In this fast-paced, constantly changing world, things change in an instant. Cell phones have replaced pagers. Eight-track players have faded into oblivion, swapped for IPods. And on and on.
But one thing hasn't changed: An A still signals a sense of pride, a job well done. And an A+? Even better.
From report cards to theses, the closer the grade to the start of the alphabet, the better. Even the Better Business Bureau adheres to that practice....

They say misery loves company. And if you're one of the 7 million long-distance caregivers, that might give you some comfort. Like you, others worry about loved ones who live miles away. Are they eating enough? Are bills paid? Are they safe? Healthy? Happy? The anxieties are endless.
We understand. As does the National Institute on Aging, which has devoted countless articles to the topic. And they've got some good news for you: "Long-distance caregiv...

The holidays are officially over – but are you still feeling as stuffed as the turkey you oohed and ahhed over?
We've got a solution: exercise. We can hear you groaning – and thinking up excuses. Your hip hurts. You're too old. Too tired. And on and on.
Here's something to entice you: exercise can help shed unwanted pounds, improve your energy level and add years to your life. And, according to NIHSeniorHealth, "Making exercise a regular part of...

We need to talk.
That distressing statement – uttered by the boss, your significant other, a best friend or a relative – is enough to make your stomach churn.
And when you're the one delivering the ultimatum – especially when it involves your parents - it's tempting to reach for the Rolaids.
They don't want to discuss – much less think about - life-or-death issues. DNR? POA? What kind of alphabet soup is that, they'll demand. Remember, they've be...

This is the month to give thanks. Perhaps it's for wonderful friends. Or good health. Maybe that bountiful Thanksgiving meal. But how about a heartfelt gratitude to caregivers?
We think it's time. Even President Barack Obama is on board, having declared November National Family Caregivers Month. "Across our country, more than 60 million Americans take up the selfless and unheralded work of delivering care to seniors or people with disabilities or illne...

"I'm here for you."
Those four small words provide solace to that special someone who desperately needs help.
Maybe you're a devoted wife caring for a husband who has broken his hip. Or a child, helping your parents navigate the treacherous world of Alzheimer's. Perhaps you're the lifeline for an elderly neighbor, friend or loved one who is battling cancer.
You enjoy helping them. They're relieved to have someone they can count on. But those few day...

When Pat's husband went into anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee, she didn't reach for her cell phone to call 911.
That, says 70-year-old woman, might have jeopardized his life. Instead, she made the call on the land line in her house. "I never know where the cell phone is. And the technology of these new phones is way past my generation's comprehension. It took me six months to learn how to use ours and it's still difficult sometimes," she...

Today's cutting edge technology makes it increasingly simple to keep an eye on those closest to us. The medical alert industry is using Global Positioning Systems,(GPS)plus cellular, to help families keep loved ones safe in the event of an emergency. GPS is a satellite navigation system that can provide you with the location of your loved one anywhere on the planet as long as there is an unobstructed line of sight with GPS satellites. With features like...

Planning for & Keeping My Assets Safe During Retirement.
For the past 40 years, workforce participation has dropped at a relatively steady pace for adults 65 and older, partially due to the large number of "Baby Boomers" transitioning into retirement. This movement into retirement is occurring faster than the number of people entering the workforce therefore decreasing the total workforce population within those years. However, the rate at which adul...

Since the invention of the telephone in the 1870's, its technology remained largely unchanged. However, over the last decade there has been a shift away from traditional landline services. The CDC reported last December that about 36% of U.S. households have gone "wireless-only." That's nearly triple the rate from 2007. What does it mean for those of us who may be considering a medical alert system?
Traditional phone wire transmits an electrical sign...

That time of year is creeping up on us again! Known to everyone as "The Holidays", it's a time of joy, festivities, gratitude, family get-togethers and many other heartwarming nuances that fill the greeting cards we'll soon receive in the mail. With that said, the holidays also bring a side of figgy pudding, stress, lots of delicious food, stress, catchy jingles and oh yeah, STRESS! But has anyone noticed what time of year it actually is? We are at the ...

There comes a time when elderly family members necessitate extra care due to the progression of chronic illnesses and their fragile physical state. While many seniors prefer to stay at home rather than be instituted in a nursing home, many families are apprehensive for their safety. The concern for the safety of seniors living at home stems from the potential of becoming involved in a vulnerable situation. The most effective solution to this dilemma is ...

According to the AARP, 90% of seniors desire to live at home. Today, seniors prefer to reside at home, to preserve their freedom and independence. However, as elderly individuals age, the extent of assistance escalates. Increases in age generate deterioration in health as well as the advancement of serious ailments. The weakened state portrayed by seniors inevitably causes them to become more vulnerable to potential falls. According to the Centers for D...

Medical Alert systems are communication devices specifically suited for emergency situations. These devices have the ability to call for assistance with a simple action, such as a press of a button. Medical alert systems benefit those who are prone to emergency situations and may be incapable of reaching for help themselves. They act as vital life saving tools that can assist individuals who exhibit weak health or physical conditions. These security dev...

Medical alert systems have been on the market for decades now and offer seniors a quick and easy way to connect with help in the event of an emergency. They provide seniors that are at-risk for a medical emergency or seniors with disabilities a way to maintain independence through their golden years. The ability to maintain independence, while having a safeguard in place, alleviates stress and provides peace of mind for seniors and their family members....

Aging brings with it several problems, including many chronic health conditions that can require regular care. One of the important parts of this care is making sure to properly comply with the medical treatment prescribed by doctors and caregivers. This may include regular intake of medications, routine medical check-ups, and scheduled testing. Whether it is a chronic medical condition like diabetes or hypertension, or problems related to sleep, anxiet...

Given the growing population of senior citizens today, it is no surprise that more and more families are turning to caregivers to ensure that their parents or older relatives are safe and secure. However, caring for an elderly person can be quite daunting even when the responsibility is shared with siblings and other members of the family. While the primary challenge is to get the senior citizen to accept help and support, there are many other challenge...

Aging can be an anxiety-ridden process for family members of elderly relatives, especially if the elderly person in question continues to live independently. What if they slip and fall or have another kind of medical emergency? Most seniors today, even where it is physically not possible, would prefer to stay alone and be independent rather than being a burden on their family. However, the perils of living alone, especially for one ...

Everyone forgets. Who hasn't experienced the frustration of not being able to locate their car keys when they need them, or horror of walking into a room to do something only to completely forget why you entered? It's normal. But as we age, our memory loss tends to worsen at an increasing rate, often related to specific medical conditions.
Memory loss related to aging can be quite embarrassing and confusing, not to mention stressful for the person ex...

As a person grows older, his or her health becomes hampered as a result of the natural aging process. While this does not mean all seniors are bedridden or incapable of caring for themselves, it is a sad reality for some. When such situations occur, the lack of independence or even the fear of losing their independence brings with it several doubts in their minds. Under these circumstances, senior citizens often get stressed when they are forced to face...

As we get old, our risk of suffering from a fall increases. In the USA, one in every three Americans over 65 years of age suffers a fall each year. This means that in a year, about ten million falls take place. Though many of these falls don't cause serious injuries, a reasonable number of them may require a stay in the hospital. According to some studies, almost 10,000 Americans age 65 years or above die each year due to injuries caused by falling.
...

Falls are extremely common for those over the age of 65. In fact, if statistics are to be believed, nearly a third of people 65 or older – and half of people over 80! – will be injured in a fall. And if those numbers sound bad, consider this: most experts believe the real number to be quite a bit higher, because most falls that don't cause serious injury go unreported. Regardless of whether they get reported or not, falling is undoubtedly one of the mos...

People aged 65 years or above often lead a life that has restricted mobility for fear of slips and falls that can cause more damage than when they were younger. If these seniors live alone, their lifestyle becomes all the more sedentary as they are afraid of managing emergency situations on their own. If this sounds like you, remember that leading an inactive life can have disadvantages just as bad.
There's an inevitable loss of energy, strength, and...

Did you know that falling is the single largest problem faced by most seniors today, irrespective of whether they suffer from any chronic disease or not? In fact, statistics show that nearly 13% of people over the age of 65 and 31% of senior citizens between the ages of 81 and 84 are susceptible to falls and the injuries caused by them.
Contrary to popular belief, though, falls are not inevitable. By following a few simple tips and guidelines, falls ...

Humans are essentially independent in nature. Right from a young age, we believe we are capable of doing anything. However, the aging process often diminishes this confidence, especially as our ability to accomplish even simple tasks deteriorates. But despite the problems we all know aging causes, both physical and psychological, the human mind tends to rebel against assistance of any kind, wanting to keep the independence of youth. In fact, many studie...

Age and medical issues can make independent living a challenge for many people, especially those more prone to diseases and injuries caused due to accidents. The sheer range of health problems we face as we age makes it necessary for us to have immediate support and help, especially in the case of emergencies. Assisted living and nursing homes are one alternative, but many of us don't need that kind of round-the-clock care, and want to keep our independ...

Aging is a natural process that can affect an individual physically, mentally and/or emotionally. Despite the various medical and physical problems endured by the elderly, many elderly people try to maintain their independence by not accepting help. The elderly do not wish to lose their independence by being placed in a nursing home or in an assisted living arrangement. People are most comfortable around their common surroundings. Therefore, it is impo...

For senior citizens, staying alone can be a tough task. Since the elderly have a tendency to suffer from chronic illnesses, sudden injuries, and other serious physical conditions, giving them timely help and assistance when they need it is crucial. They may also feel more vulnerable to other threats, such as an unwanted person's entry into their home or in cases of fire or theft. Installing a medical alert system in a senior citizen's home can offer pro...

Since I have been juggling a busy professional life and corporate commitments for years now, apart from caring for my aging parents, I know what it's like to be constantly worried about your parents' health and safety. With so many cases of senior citizens being unattended after a fall or dying of a sudden heart attack while being alone at home, even hiring a caregiver hardly gives us the peace of mind that we may need at this crucial juncture. If you t...

While there is great emotional and cognitive benefit for an elderly person to have a loving pet providing hours of mental and physical stimulation everyday, we have to remember that sometimes our dogs and cats can find their way under foot and into trouble. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 21,000 elderly Americans are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for falls associated with their four legged ...

Why did Mom cross the road? Well, we may never know if she was over 60 and was talking on the phone. As it turns out, people who listen to music while crossing a busy (simulated) street fared just as well as non-distracted pedestrians in a recent study. However, those on cell phones fared much worse, particularly those who were at higher risk to falls.
"Many people assume that walking is so automatic that really nothing will get in the way," said Uni...

According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, elderly individuals who participated in a six month study showed improved balance, and a reduction in both the rate of falls and the risk of falling. The study involved older people living in a community setting over the age of 65, and was based upon the conceit that most at risk individuals fall while walking and/or engaged in concurrent activities. Translation: doing two things at on...

It appears there is a strong correlation between balance and cognitive ability, according to a study by Indiana University. The findings seem to point out the following: The greater the degree of mental health and general awareness in a subject, the more likely they are to be physically balanced and exhibit less postural sway, and therefor be less likely to endure a serious fall. The goal of the study is to develop a simple questionnaire used by caregiv...

New data suggests that women over the age of 65 who practice yoga fall less. Of course older people benefit greatly from almost any kind of light exercise both physically and mentally, however, under professional supervision, the peculiar impact of the ancient practice of meditative yoga may yet prove to be the best at preventing falls. From Temple University:
"Dr. Jinsup Song and researchers at the School of Podiatric Medicine and the College of Hea...

Falls are the leading cause of accidental deaths among people over the age of 75 and the second leading cause for those aged 45 to 75, according to the National Safety Council. We've posted those and other statistics here before. But there are ways to mitigate dangers in the home. Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Virginia Tech is hard at work looking for the causes o...

Mark Grabiner, Phd, of the University of Illinois at Chicago, has a few ideas. Mark is Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory at UIC, who have been studying just this issue for over 20 years. Seeing as, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an older person is admitted to an emergency room every 18 seconds of every day, it's good that somebody is looking into it.
"The way they walk and the way they fall is actua...

A Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a specialist in the field of senior assistance and can help a great deal facilitating a higher quality of life for your aging mom or dad. They are degreed and certified with training in nursing, gerontology and psychology. And, sometimes more importantly, they have an intimate knowledge of cost effective and well recommended services in your area for continuing care. Their knowledge can be invaluable in maximizing your ...

With similar sounding names and over-lapping purposes these two systems can be a little confusing; daunting even. It is essential to note that both are available to legal residents of the US who are over 65 years of age and can cover many aspects of continuing care for the elderly. In fact, in some cases you or your loved one may even qualify for both. First thing to know is that Medicare is a federal program, and Medicaid is managed by individual state...

It can seem so easy for us to lose track of what is important in our busy lives. With work, shopping, exercise, our kids, hobbies. Ours days can seem so full and go by so fast that we start to take our mother or father's emotional well being for granted. And, these needs very often increase in correspondingly with their age. And why wouldn't they? As we age, too, we lose contact with old friends, things change, and world almost begins to pass us all by....